Fruit pitting and coring apparatus



A. L. DUNCAN 1,785,005 FRUIT FITTING AND CORING APPARATUS Filed Nov. e, 1925 s sheets-stm*d 1 Dec. 16, 1930.

Dec. 16, 1930.

A. L. DUNCAN FRUIT FITTING AND CORING APPARATUS Fled Nov. 6: 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 16, 1930. A. L. DUNCAN FRUIT FITTING AND CORING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov.

iatenrtecllDec. 16, 193()` 1 ARTHUR LJDUNCAN, orriiipoMONT,V canIroiaNrAp` AssIGNoRQBY ivIEsNE ASSIGNMENTS,

To PACIFIC MACHINERY CoMPeNmoFsnN `IfneNeisco, .CeIirroRNrA', .a coItIfoRA!Y TION OF (lArIiIIELNIA FRUIT rIrrTINseNn CoRINGnrraRATUsy VApplication led November 6, 1926. .SerialfNm 146,754.

` The present invention relates to improvements inf-ruit pitting `and coring nfiethcds and apparatus therefor.,` More 4particularly the invention frelates toA pitting 'and coring` methods for the handling of "single stone fruit, and especially `adapted` for` pittingz clingstone peaches. 'y .l

In the State of California alone lto 2() varieties ofclingstone'peaches are raised' andv l each variety has la differently shaped pit.y

ylhe various varieties of peaches are delivered at dierent times `of theyear, and differ Widely in size, quality, and texture. Tuscan cling peaches Y generally Q come into the canneries during the month ofduly, and

`in the latter part of July the Vvariety of peaches known inthe trade as the neW midsummers? begin tolarrive. The new midsummers generally ripen in midsuminer and come into the canneries in the middle of the fruit packing season. There varieties'all have flesh of fine texture, are mellow and rich in golden color, and have small pits. The new midsuinmers arein large demand by the public vbecause of their superior and luscious flavor and appetizing appearance, and are accordingly very de sirablefor canning` purposes. As thel'lluscanV and vnew midsummer varieties. of peaches overlap,

they are carefully separated 'and itri is the practice in a days run to complete the cutting and pitting ofV the Tuscans beforebef ginning the pitting of the newlmidsummers or vice-versa. The packing of the new midsummers extends approximatelyfrom the last Week in July to about the end of the third Week in August, and during this period certain varieties of peaches that ripen in midsuinmer known as the old midsummer varieties, noiv almost extinct are received in small quantities and must-be taken in by the` canners to secure desirable blocks of the nevir midsummers. The old mldsuminers are ungainly` in appearance, the flesh iscoarse in texture, and in handling through the lye machines and processes of peeling, the pulp often frays and they become unsightly.' The old midsummers are accordingly used mostly for making sliced grades of canned clingstone peaches, and they are seldom ofjsu'ch quality that,.tlieirfuse inlthe production of fancy or choice grades of-- canned .goods is advisable. The variation in thesize of pits in the old midsummerslis extremeand lopsided irregular fins' form atthe.sutureV of the pit so that the `standard pitting spoons used by hand ,operators Will: not reach the length oiI the pit frein` the stem to tlie`spike end,

f and injorder tol yfree the pit fromthe half,-

peaches, the. hand pitting operators nfiustv mutilate large portions of the flesh Vat the stem yen'dto free the*` pits. VThe pits ofthe various varieties of peaches range in the greatest diameter of theisuture, perpendicular tothe stem-and spikeend of the pit from threequarters of an inch `to one and three-quarter inches, 4more or less, .according rto the Avariety of peach-While.approximately ameter toi four, and one-quarter inches i diameter, all in lthesame box, and alldiroin. the same tree. Thef pits ,from these peaches WillA range `in the greatest diameter of the suture perpendicular to the stem and spike end of thejpit from approximately one and one-sixteenthinches to one and seven-sixteenth inchespwhilelthestem Vto the spike end of the-,pits will vary in length fromone and three-eighths inches to one and threequarter inches While occasionally from certain localities the variation is even greater. Efforts tok pit peaches in a vcommercial Way and in large Vquantities VWith a singlel knife, i"

not adjustable for the varying sizes of pits in standard varieties of peaches, even though a diiierentknife Vis used for each variety, result in asub'stantiallwaste as provision mustbe-made-to remove the largest pit, With the result that a substantial portion of useful flesh 1s cut from the peaches having the sellerie.

oppositely disposed pitting knives adapted to adjustably encompass the substantially whole or intact pit of the fruit to be cored or pitted substantially in the'plane of the pit suture from stem to spike end of the fruitis utilized for all standard sizes "of peaches of the different varieties received during a season, while special knives are utilized merely 'for pitting abnormal peaches.

g In this Way the number of different knives that must be provided and the labor incident to changing knives and making adjustments and the expense attached thereby is reduced to a minimum. The knives are `adjusted until they substantially contact with and generally conform in lcurvature to the suture of the pit before starting the severing motion through the fruit. After the adjustment is effected substantially to the pit `size a central 'core comprising the pit is severed from the remainder of the fruit by causing the knives to move through the fruit, about an axis Vof rotation approximately through the stem and-spike end of the pit, hereinafter termed the longitudinal axis of the fruit or pit'. Preferably the knives are moved with relation to the longitudinal pit axis causing them to follow a path that corresponds in shape approximately to the shape of the pit sizes, but unguided by the pit sides, to eliminate Waste of desirable fruit pulp. `Wlien the knives are adjusted to encompass the` pit, with the knives pressed into engagement with `a predetermined pressure against the suture of the pit, the fruit pit is centered between the encompassing knives. As the path of the knives through the fruit is unguided by and independent Vof the shape of the pit only unusual obstructions are encountered by the knives 'due to pit irregularities.

My improved method comprises in its preferred form the initial formation in the peach of a substantially peripheral groove or channel preferably about one-quarter inch the pit to be removed, I am enabled to use In the preferred embodimentsY of my present invention, a single pair of a single sc t of knives for pitting all standard varieties of peaches, a result not here timealterable.

Accordingly, a primary object of my invention is to provide novel methods and apparatus for pitting peaches whereby a. single mechanism may be adjusted to efficiently .and economically pit all of the standard varieties of peaches received during the course of a canning season, without varying the size or shape of the pitting knife oi' knives; and to provide an apparatus in which the pitting knife or knives and parts may be readily interchanged for special knife or knives when pits of extraordinary or unusual l,

size are Iencountered in any particular variety.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel methods and apparatus for pitting peach-es, that are adjustable to the size of the pit to be removed, and by which a central core including the pit is removed from the fruit which has a surface shaped independently of the shape of the pit, but the surface follows generally the curvature of the pit sides and may be varied lfrom a true circular to relatively iattened or oval shapes to meet the variations in shape of pits in the different varieties of fruit, whereby waste of fruit pulp is minimized and a high grade product is secured.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simplified apparatus for carrying out my improved method of pitting peaches in which novel means are provided for clearing the mechanism of the severed cores including the pits and fruit halves, and for maintaining the mechanism in clean and sanitary condition.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a novel drive for pitting apparatus adapted to sever a central core comprising the whole pit from a peach, comprising a yieldable or slipping drive to prevent knife breakages.

Further objects of the invention are such as may be attained by a utilization of the various combinations. sub-combinations and principles hereinafter set forth and as defined by the terms of the appended claims.

As shown in the drawings Figure l is a sectional elevation showing a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the form of invention shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken alongthe line III-HI of Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a detailed view of an operation controlling cam as seen from the line IV-IV of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a plan vier1 of the cam shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view taken along line Vil-VI of Figure l. showing the driving ratchet.

I bushing '19`andis journa-led dif @Figure-7 "is'a- 'detailedendyview showing the registeringdiskand stop. p'aWl. y

Figures 8, 9 and lO-shoW thecamiholders in side elevation, planV and end `elevation respectively.. K f

- Referring to Figures iy and 2 the numeral l indicates a base casting to Which the bearing `bracket 2 is secured by meansv of cap screws 3. Formed integrally with the bracket 2 isa casing section 4 (Figure l) in which worin 5 isV disposed. kllfor'm 5 is rigidly se curedto anddriven by a driveshaft 6 which is supportedinbearings 7 (Figures 2 and 3) of the supportng bracket Ssecured to the base l by cap screws 9; vSlidably keyed tothe end of thelshaft 6 is a friction driving plate or disk'l()V (Figure 2) Which is urgedlinWard underthe pressure of flat'` spring` ll, which abuts against the head `of the tension adjustingV capscrew. l2threaded into the end ofV thershaft'.I .Drive disk 10 is forced against a liber or othersuitable friction disk 13 by spring 1l and disk 13 abuts against a friction clutch member 14.. Clutch member 14 is connected to and rotatable with grooved drive pulley `bymeans of the connecuing sleeve section 16.` Clutch memberl4, pulley l5 and the sleeve 16 are journaled for rotation on the drive shaftG. Pulley l5 is driven by a belt 1T from :a suitable prime mover.

.Meshing WithV and-1 driven by the Worm 5 is a Wormigear 18, which is provided with a `for rotation on the sleev'ei20.: Inserted in va suitable recess formedin and. rigidly secured "to the gear 13 hardened steeldriving disk 2l (Figure l) around the face of Which a series ofspaced clutch holes 22 Vare formed. `Projection or pin '23 ofV a `sliding clutch member 24 is adapted to litV into holes 22. f Clutch member 24vis mounted in a suitable bore formed in clutch disk 25 whichl in turn is keyed to and drives the sleeve 20.Y Alnterposed between screw plug 26, closing the end Vof thebore in disk-25 and the inner 'end of the. clutch pin 24 is a. coil springr27. -Member 24 has a notch or groove 28 provided `with an inclined cam Wall 29. v With the end 23 or clutch pin nested in one of the holes 22, a driving connection is established between the gear i3 andthe clutch disk 25. Side vvall 29 of groove 28 'is positioned` ina clutch payvl groove 30 formed in the periphery of the clutch disk 25. Normally resting in the groove 30is the beveled cam end 3l (Figure 2)of the clutch pavvl 33. Clutch pavvl 33 is pivotally supported on a fulcrum pin 35 supported in boss 36 of the bracket 8. In the lovver end of pavvl 33 slot 38 is formed into which the end of actua-ting pin 39 slidably lits. The pin 39 is secured toV the lower end of the actuating arm 40 which at its upper end is secured to the end of and actuated by yrocking shaft 4l. Shaft 4l is journaled in a suitable extension 42 of the base casting l yand is provided With actuatingV handv plate '43 positioned .to zbe conveniently engaged by the handof the operator immediately after afruit is in position to be cored as will more fully; hereinafter appear. i, A

V suitable spring `44 (Figure 3) may bev con.-

nectedbetween the clutch ipawl. 33"'and the base castingl-to hold the beveledV end. 31 of thepaivl 33 normally in position in the groove 30 of the clutch disk 25.

Sleeve .20 is provided'vvith an internal bushing 45 Vjournaledfor rotationA on hollow"v on main shaft. 46 Y and secured thereto by key 47 (Figure 6) is aA4 main shaft 46. Mounted ratchet disk 48 provided With the diametrically opposite ratchetteeth 49. Ratchet teeth 49 yare adapted to be engaged bythe end 50 of a paivl 5l which is pivotally supp rted on pin 52. about `pin 52 is arranged to force the pawl about its pivotso that the end 50 thereof is'held againstthe periphery of ratchet 48.: Pin 52 is rigidly' secured'in a disk 53 which' is mounted on and keyed to the rear end of sleeve v2O. Paul 5l is provided With aneX` tension which is adapted to engageV lthe upper end of thro out latch 56 (Figures l and 6). `VLatch 56 is secured Vonan extension of rear bearing bracket 5? by. means vof se; curing stud 53. An adjusting stop screw 59 threadedinan extension of the. bearing: bracket 5i is provided for latch 56. By acl-1 justing stop screw 59 and shiftinglatch-565 the point in thecycle ofoperations at which the extension 55 of pavvl 5l will engage the of the latch 56 may be fvaried. Y Bearing bracket 57 is secured to base casting l by means of the-capscrew 6l, and formed at the upper part of the bracket is a journal 62 provided With a bushing 63 in which the mainshaft 46 is journaled` for ro! tation. y Supported on the outer end of the main shaft 46 andseeured thereto by means Vofkey 64 (Figure .27) is registering disk 65 provided with diametrically opposite stop notches G6. Secured to and givotally supported from bracket 57' by means of the pivotA pin 6'.' is aregistering latch 68 which pro-` vided with a registering extension 69adapted to lit into the registering notches 66 and thereby locate 46 in normal position. Helical spring 70 interposed between an eX- tension of bracket 57 and registering latch 63 normally forces the extension 69 of the .latch into engagement with the periphery of the registering disk 65. l

Main shaft 46 has formed integrally With the inner end thereof a head 7l provided with a central guide slot- 72 (Figures l and 3) against 'the sides of Which a pair of slidable gauge plates 73 are supported. Secured in head 71 are pins 74 which extend intoguide slots 75 formed in the gauge plates 73. Slid-v ably supported and guided for reciprocation between the gauge plates V7 3 are knife holders Secured in the knife holders 76 are the Springs 53 coiled A' 7 9 (Figure 1) on which the f tates the rollers 80 through the cam grooves 81. Cam grooves 81 may be made of any suitable shape7 but are preferably of such shape that the rollers 80 follow a path to conform generally to the curvature of the pit to be removed. 1n varieties of fruit having pits substantially circular in transverse sec. cam with a circular groove 81 may be utilized, While with fruit having flattened sides, groove 81 may be shaped to cause rollers 80 to follow a path of varying radius to cut .it to beV an oval shaped core from the fi cored, as Will more fully hereinafter appear. Outer cam grooves 81 are preferably formed in cam members 83 which are rigidly secured to the cam holders 82 for convenience in cofistruction. Cam holders 82 have formed integrally therewith aw holders 8eY which are recessed to receive jaivs 85. (llligures 1 and 8 to 10). Jaws 85 (Figure 1) are secui to holders 84 by means of suitable cap screws 8G and are of a suitable Width to enter an annular groove or channel formed in the fruit to be pitted. Formed on opposite sides of the cam holders 82 are the bosses 88 in which bores 89 are formed. Bores 89 slidably lit on the vertical guide posts 90 (Figures 1 and 2) which are rigidly secured to and suitably7 spaced on base casting 1. Formed centrall' in each of the holders 82 are bosses or efitensions 91 in which bores 92 nd formed. Extending through bores 0 are de) the inner ends of pins 9/1- (Figure '1) provided vvith Washers which slidably fit bores 92. Interposed between the botten s of bores 92 and Washers 95 of pins -1 are be ical compression springs 96. Cotter pins es* tending through the end of pins 94- normally hold the parts in assembled relation. Fittin slidably into the bores 92 the sleeve mem- Y bers 98 which are threaded on. the ends of coupling members 99 that may be adjusted to vary the operating tension of springs Coupling members 99 are provided with furcated ends 100 between which ends of actuating levers 101 are disposed. ctuating levers 101 are secured to the bifurcated ends 100 by means of the pins 102 which a ported in said ends and pass through 103 of the actuating levers 101. Levers 10.1 are fulcrumed by means of pins 101- to sui c. extensions of the bearin bracket 2. Brac r,- 2 is also provided with a suit .b c ied bea ring section 105 in which the forward end of main shaft 1G is journalled. The opposite ends ofactuating arms 101 are provided with slots 107 through Which pins 108 pass. Pins 108 are secured in suitable extensions of vertical reciprocating members or levers 109. rlhe inner ends of the levers 109 are slotted at 110 to lit slidably over sleeve 20. lligidly secured in and protruding from levers 109 are pins-111 on which the cam rollers 112 are journaled. Cam rollers 112 are mount-ed in cam grooves 113 of the actuating cam 114 (Figures 1, el and Actuating cam 1141 is keyed to an d driven by sleeve 20.

Formed in the knife holders 76 are suitable rectangular recesses 116 adapted to receive the rectangular shanks 117 of the curved pitting knives 118. Knives 118 are narrow, being preferably one-quarter inch or less in Width to fit into a channel or recess formed in a fruit to be pitted, and are provided With outwardly beveled cutting edges. Knives 118 are preferably made of yieldable spring steel and are so positioned that they normally nest `within curved recesses 119 formed in javrs 85. lt Will be noted that knife holders 76 and knives 118 are movable With the jaws To limit theI inward motion of the aWs and knives to accommodate different sizes of fruit pits or cores, a bore 120 is formed in the upper one of the jaws 85 and at the bottem of this bore is a threaded section in which 'table stop screw 121 is threaded.

lcans are provided for clearing themachine of the fruit halves and the core after the central core has been severed from the pulp, and to remove particles of pulp Which id to adhere to the mechanism. Formed centrally in main shaft 46 is a bore 122 in Yhich a pipe or tube 123 for the passage of id under pressure or compressed air is suprted on the packing and spacing members The inner end of the pipe 123 is disposed immediatcly back of the knife holders from the pipe Will force the core from between the knives 118 and will clear the machine of adhering pulp as Will more fully hereinafter appear. It Will be understood that pipe 123 need not be disposed in the bore in the main shaft but may be placed in various positions to dislodge the core and clear the knife holders and machine of objectionable material. To provide for the rapid removal of the pulp halves, a threaded bore 125 (Figures 1 and 9) is formed in the upper knife holder in which the end of a tube 126 is threaded. The end of bore 125 registers with a recess or bore 127 formed in the upper jaw 85 and communicating With the bore or recess 12T are the fluid or compressed air distributing ducts 128 formed internally in the jaiv. A set of fluid or compressed air outlet holes 129 drilled through the upper jaiv 85 and communicating with the lateral Section of duct 128 provide outlet for the passage of fluid under pressure or compressed air to opposite sides of the upper jaw 85 which j y=l`liisincans comprises an lupper bracket 130 lll willlforcethefruit pulp halves away from the jaws when the central core.' Y

The fruit to be cored guidedinto posi tionbetween the jaws and Vpitting knivesby means that ferm a circumferential recess in the peacli'in the plane of thesuture of the pit.

supported from Aposts 90 and a lower bracket 131s'ecured te 4base casting 1 by cap `screws V132. ,For pitting highA grade fruit upper feedpblade structure is preferably composed of two blades 133 separated slightly from each other but secured together =to` move as a unitn Blades 133are provided 4with/cutting edges134 and 135 preferably at right angles to each otherytheedges of which are in clined' outwardly away from the space between the bladesfcausing the pulp of the fruit to "be slightly wedgedapart as the circum` ferential grooveis formed. Blades 133 are mounted to swing vertically on parallel `links 134^and 135 pivoted to the bracket 130 by 'means of pins 136 and toi'blades 133'by means of Vpins 137. spring 138 disposed in recess '13 9 ef` bracket 130. and abutting againsty a projection: `of link"134 holds the upperrstructure yieldinglyin position. The lower .blade structure is likewise preferably composed of" t two spacedbladesldsecured together to move as afunit forfpitting. highgrade fruit and it toallas cutwardlybeveled cutting edges "134 and v 135 Vparallel Vto A the cutting edges `of thejgupper structure blade. Blade 140 swings on a "horizontal line on `parallel j linlrs141 142Jpivoted'at their lowerends tothe bracket131 by means of pins 143 and atj theiru'pper ends 2te the blades 140"by nieansfoflpins 144'.' coil spring 145, inter-Q pesedbetween suitable projections of bracket 131 and blades 140,*yieldingly maintains the lower blade structurein position*` In case it.

isdesired to eliminate theI yielding action of the blades, suitable holes may be formed 1n i the supporting brackets and blades through which securingpins lmay be passed to hold the blades rigidly in the desired relation and a relative adjustment of the blades in fixed pesitions to vary the size of the pit passageway is permitted.

Gouges 146 and 147 are arranged between the setsof blades 133 and 134 to transversely cut and removethe narrow strip of the peachV that enters between the blades ofeach set. Suitable `openings maybe provided in the bladesA of each set adjacent'the gouges to permit the discharge of the portions of the annular strip removed during the feeding operation. Preferably the openings are cut in ene blade only se as not to provide a ledge upon,V which the strips can collect. `When handling lower grades of fruit the blades may be made solid and the groove in the pulp formed solely by a wedging action in obvious manner without removing a slice, while suithalves are freed from the Y able extensions of the lower blade may be provided between which jaw 85 retreats. The outer surfaces of the blades are approxi mately flush with the sidesof jaws 85 and guide the fruit to the jaws, entering the jaws in the channel thatis formed in the fruit.

vA tipfreincver is yprovided adjacent the.` path of the peach between blades 133 andv 140 whichiincludesa frame 148, pi'voted to j a projection offraine 131 by means of pin 149. A spring'15() between frame 148 VVand "a'stop'on bracket 131 in'gesAv the frame forwardly against the endwall of an opening.,

`151 in which frame148frides. The upper end of frame 140 is curved rearwardly and is provided with'a deep 1V-shaped cut 152 fromits upper edge. A tip removing blade 153 is'secured to frame 140 inl position to cut off the tip of each peach, the curved upper end of the frame and the V-shaped'cut thereinserving to bring the blade'153 intoeifec-V tive operation on peaches of widely varying sizes, the range of movement of the frame 'infopening 151 beingY Vsufficient for this purpose.` i j y Operation Y In Voperation on peaches, the pitting knives 118 and jaws85. are normally open. Pins 77 are inthe upper. ends ofslots 78 and gauges 73are' in forward position. `A peach to be pitted is inserted in the channelbetween the blades"133 and 14O`with the tip toward the vdperator as Yshown in Figure 1, and withthe. plane ofthe suture of' thepit of the Vpeach indicated by a crease on theoutside ofthe fruit, substantially inthe vertical central plane of the bladesl The operator then forces the peach downwardly between the blades re` movingthetip and cutting vertical kerfsin the ends of "the peachin the plane ofthe suture of the pit. If the pit is larger than i the space between the blades 133 and 140, blade 140 yields swinging in ashorizontal plane on links 141 and 142 against the action of spring`145. 1 The operator moves the peach to the end of the vertical branch ofthe path between blades 133 and 140, and then moves it bodily7 in a horizontal direction between theblades until the stem'end ofthe pit engages the ends of gauge plates 73. At this point in the operation a circumferential channel, recess, or groove has beenV formed around the peach in 'the yplane ofthe suture of thepit and 41. This movement of shaft 41 rocks the upper end of pawl 33 outward freeing pin 24 for movement under the influence of its spring 27 and causing projection 23 to enter a hole 22 causingrotation of sleeve 20. rThe end of pawl 51 is normally not in engagement with one of the teeth 49 on ratchet 48 keyed to the main shaft 4G, but is between the teeth. Accordingly, the main .shaft 46 does not turn immediately, but the sleeve 20 rotates through part of a revolution before the main shaft is brought into operation and rotates cam 114, shifting levers 109 outward and the parts connected thereto to the position of parts shown in Figure 1. As levers 109 move outward holders S2 are brought together and due to the actionof springs 96 yieldingly closes jaws 85 and knives. 11S firmly about the suture of the pit. Movement of knife holders 76 inward acting` through gauge actuating pins Z7 and slots 78 causes withdrawal of the gauges 73 so that when the pitting knives are rotated, the ends of the gauges will not mutilate the edges of the fruit halves. In this way the jaws and knives automatically adjust themselves to accommodate varying diameters of pits and at the same time center the fruit pit within the compass of the knives 118. lfhen the jaws are closed they firmly press the knives about the suture of the pit preventing distortion of the knives. due to their flexibility, and they also serve to support the flesh of the peach immediately adjacent the line of the cut, so that clean edges are produced.

After the completion of the above Operations, pawl end 50 carried on sleeve 2O engages one of the teeth on ratchet 49,resulting in the rotation of the main shaft 46 and pitting knife holders 76 with knives 118 through half a revolution. Rollers 80. moving in cam grooves S1 determine the shape of a central c-ore including the whole pit that is cut from the fruit just before a half revolution of shaft 4G is completed, and wit-hout knives 118 vcrossing the plane of the suture of t-he pit starting the cutting operation. Cam groei/'es 81 are preferably shaped to force the knives 11S to follow a path that corresponds approximately to the shape ofthe pit sideseto eliminate the waste of desirable pulp portions that occurs when the knives follov7 a true circular path in pitting fruit with pits non-circular in transversesection. After the completion of a half revolution of shaft 46, lug of pawl 51 engages the end of throwout latch 56 and end 55 of pawl 51 thus serving to disconnect shaft 46 from rotating sleeve 20. At the same time registering latch projection 69 engages a notch 66 on registering disk of shaft 4G, serving tohold shaft 46 in position for the next operation. Compressed air from openings 129 of upper jaw blows the pulp halves outward, and continued rotation of sleeve 2O actuates cam 114 to move levers 109 inward separating holders 82 together with jaws 85 and knives 118. As the partsseparate, fluid or air under pressure from central pipe 23 blows the core from between the knives and clears the knives and jaws of adhering uices and pulp, keeping the machine clean and in sanitary condition. It will be understood that a suitable control valve for the supply of air or other fluid to pipes 128 and 126 may be provided that Will admit fluid to the pipes just before the pulp halves are severed from the core and Will cut it ofi when the parts come to rest.

In case the pitt-ing knives 118 encounter an obstacle such as an unusually large pit, clutch disks 10 and 14 will slip permitting the knives to stop and avoiding knife breakages. In` such a case the machine is cleared of the abnormal peach if necessary. After the machine is cleared, the friction clutch will again drive the shaft 6 and the mechanism until the revolution of clutch disk 25 completed when Wall 29 of pin 24 will engage the cana end 3,1 of pawl 33 positioned in groove 30 by the action of spring 44. This wifllgshift pin 24 to the left in Figure 1 disengaging projection 23 from the hole 22 and the parts. will come to rest with knives 118 nested in recesses'119 of jaws 85 and the parts open to receive the next fruit to be cored. In this way it will be seen that each time hand plate 43 is actuated a complete cycle of operation occurs and at the end of each cycle the parts come to rest.

v`While the invention has been above described in great detail, it should be understood that it is not restricted to such details which maybe varied widely without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the scope thereof is to be determined from the terms of the following claims.

Having described preferred embodiments only of the invention, What is desired to be secured by Letters Patent and is claimed as new is:

1. A fruit coring machine comprising means to form a circumferential recess in the fruit to a depth of a core to be removed, oppositely disposed knives curved to approxi.- mate the outline of the pit, means to adjust and center said knives on said core and means to cause vsaid knives to follow a determined non-circular path.

2. A peach pitting machine comprising means to expose the edge of the pit, curved pitting` knives conforming to the outline of the pit, means to adjust said knives to approximate the exposed pit and means to cause the knives to follow a determined noncircnlar path approximating the cOntour of the pit between said edges.

A peach pitting machine comprising means to form a circlnnferential incision in the peach in the plane of the suture of the 'circular path a'ppror'imatin pit, curvedv pitting knives normally separated, means to cause said knives to approach each other to substantially encompass the pit, and mechanism to rotate said knives and tofcau'sel the knives to-bodily foliovv a non- '63 the pit sides; i Y 'y 4. Ina peach Apitting machine,a rotary shaft, a knife holdercarried by said shaft and movable transversely of the axis of rotation of said shaft, pitting knife-in said holder, -means to cause said holder and knife 'holden a knifesecured thereto', means to nested in said `recesses, andino to move transversely of said-axis, means to rotate said shaft, and means separate from the last named means to cause the'ho'lder and vknife to follow anon-circular path.

5. In a' peach pitting machine, a knife translate said holderinto operativeposition, means to rotateA saidV holder, a means to shift said vholder from its circular course While it is being rotated. i

6. In a peach pitting machine, knife hoiders, knives carried hy said holders, means to cause,` said hoiders-to approach recede from each other, means to rotate sa .i andV means to shift said hoiders from 'thenV circular course during 'their rotation.

7. In a peachpitting machinefi'eeessed jaws designed to enter a circumferential groove: in thepeach and substantiallyencompass the-pit, curved pitting lw sfoi simultaneously adjust-ing said jaw `and* knives as a unit, said means including mechanism to determine thepath offmovement of said knives.

8. In a peach pittingmacliine, recessed jaws designed'. to enter a groove lin the peach, curved` pitting. knives? arranged in said recesses, mea-neto adjust said jaws and knives as a unit,meaiisto rotate said knives with repect to said jaivs and means to cause said knives to follow in their rotation 'a non-circular path.: Q

9. In a'ipeach' pitting machine, a shaft,

knife holders arrangedin varece'ss in said connecting said knives and shaft, pinsV secured toA said holders, gauges arranged. adiacent said holders,v means to guide said gauges, said gauges being provided With inclined slots receiving Isaid pins,

and means to move said holdeisivith respect to said gauges causing relative motion between said holders and-gauges.

10. In a` peach pitting machine, means to guide a peach in position to have the pit cut from the flesh, gauges to limit the'movement of the peach, knives, means to Y hiring said knives into operative position Vvhen the fruit is in contact with the gauges, and means 'atergauges vWnereby lives causes advancing movement of the kretraction of said gauges.

ll. In a peach pitting` machine,`means to form a groove in the peachand to Vguide it in position to have the pitV cut .from the fruit,

fr the contour of fes normally fruit is in operative position, knives designed i to enter said groove at the same time, means to move said jaws and knives, and means connecting said gauge and saidlast named means wherebythe movements of the gauge will be lontrolled by the movement ofsaid jaw and knife moving means.` Y Y l2.V In a-peafcli pittingmachine, means to 4form a groove in the' peach and to guide it in 'position tohave the pit cut fromthe fruit, a gauge to limit the movement of the fruit, knives to cut the Y pit from the fruit, said Y knives being normally open, meansto yieldi'ngly cause said knives to approach each other and Vnieans interconnecting said knives Ijaws recessed to it` aroundV the pit of the peach, curved knives vvithin'said recesses, Vmeans to move said Jaws andlknives in synchronism into operative position, means to` v rotate said knives vwith respectto saidgaws,

and means movable with the jaws Afor determining the 'rpath of movement of the knives.

le. A. peach pitting machine including iaivs recessedto tfaroundthe pit ofthe peach, .curved knives Withinsaid recesses, means to yieldingly movesaid jawsv and `knives in synchronism into operative position,'means 1to rotate said knives Withre?V spect to said jaws, and a cam moveable With 1 the jaws for determining the path of movement of the knives. Il

f pea h pitting'machine including `a rotatahie shaft, knife carrying'inembers slidvably arrangedin recesses insaid'` shaft, slidaiy mounted jaw carrying lmemhers, `glaive secured to said members, ant,L connection between said jawand knife carrying mem'- hers to cause said knives and jaws to move inrsyiichronism to operative position, said connection permitting rotation ofthel knives relative tothe `jaws when the latter are in operative position. j i 1 6. The combination defined iny claim l5 in" which the connection includes means to cause the knives `to follow a non-circular path. i7. i peach pittingV machine'including a frames support on said frame, levers pivotedv to said support, means to oscillate said levers, jaiv carrying members attached to said levers and p'iiided'for rectilinear separational move- 'ie on members, 'a rotatable snai, .iiife 'carrying members `slidably mounted in said shaft, and mea-ns on said aiv carrying members engaging said knife cai-- rv members to cause them to move in synchronism With said javv carrying memhers. 1

i8. A peach pitting machine including a frame, a support on said frame, levers pivoted between their ends on saidsaipport, jaw carrying members yieldinoly connected to one end of each of s i 7ers and guided f rectilinear separational movement, in operan? said levers c nnected to ends thereof, on said members, knife carrying members mounted for movement toward and from each other, id knife and jaw carrying members being connected together for simultaneous movement, said last named connection permitting rotation of Jrhe knife carrying members with respect to the jaw carrying members. y

19. T he combination defined in claim 1.8 in Vwhich the last named connection includes rollers and ay guiding cam to determine the path of swinging movement of the knives.

2.0. A peach pitting machine including a frame, a standard supported on said frame. levers pivoted to said standards between their ends, j aw carrving members connected to one end of each oi said levers by a yieldable connection comprisino a pluneer acting against a spring arranged in a recess in each jaw carrying member, and means to actuate said levers connected to the other ends thereof..

2l. ln a peach pitting machine of the type that includes jaws designed to lit around the pit of a peach, means to yieldinglymove said 3 jaws into. operative position, each comprising a swinging lever, an externally threaded member loosely connected to said lever, a sleeve threaded on saidvmemoer and fitting in a recess in ajaw and a spring the tension of which is controlled by said sleeve arranged between the bottom of said recess and said member.

22. In a pee-cn pitting machine of the type that includes j'aws designed to fit around the pit of a peach, a frame, parallel guide rods for said aws, and a cam carried by said :Saws and movable therewith on said guide rods, and rotating pitting knives controlled by said cam..

23. A peach pitting machine including iaws designed to lit around the pit of the peach, means to guide the pit between said aws, a guage to determine the position of the it between said jaws, means to cause said aws to approach and recede from each other in a straight line, means to cause said gauge to move in a straight line normal to said first named line,and mechanism whereby the movements of the gauge are controlled. by the movements of the jaws.

2l. A peach pitting Vmachine including jaws recessed to encompass the pit, knives fitting within said recesses, said and knives being connected together to move into operative position as a unit, a gauge associated with said aws and knives and connected thereto so that the movement of the jaws and knives controls the movement of the gauge, and means to actuate said jaws and knives.

25. A peach pitting machine including a recessed rotatable shaft, a gauge in said recess, pitting knife holders in said recess, means to guide said gauge, means to cause the knife holders 'to move in a direction at right angles to the direction of moven'icnt of the gauge, and a pin and inclined slot connection between said knife holders and gauge to cause the movements of these elements to occur in a determined order.

26. A peach pitting machine including i. recessed rotatable shaft, a gauge and pitting knife holders in said recess, aw holders conments is dependent upon the movements of the other, and means to actuate one of said holders.

27. A peach pitting machine including designed to substantially encompass the pit of the peach, knives fitting within said jaws, holders for the jaws, holders for the knives, a gauge, means to actuate said jaw holders and mechanism interconnecting said jaw holders with the knife holders and the gauge so that movement of the jaw holders controls the movement of the gauge and knife holders.

28. A peach pitting machine including means to hold a peach in position while the substantially intact pit is being cut therefrom, rotatable pitting knives, and driving means to rotate said knives, said means in cluding a clutch having friction elements that are designed to yield when the knives encounter an obstruction.

29. A peach pitting machine including means to hold a peach in position while the substantially intact pit is being cut therefrom, pitting knives, means to guide said knives in a predetermined path independently of the pit, and means to rotate said knives, said last named means embodying a friction clutch permitting yielding when the knives encounter an obstruction.

30. A peach pitting machine including means to hold a peach in position while the pit is being cut therefrom, pitting knives, mechanism to move the knives into operative position, mechanism to rotate said knives. power means and a friction clutch that slips when the knives engage an obstruction disposed between said power means and said mechanisms.

3l. A peach pitting machine including pitting knives mounted for movement to ward and from each other and for bodily rotation to simultaneously cut the substantially intact pit from the peach, mechanism to effect the adjustment of the knives, mechanism to rotate the knives, means to automatically operate said mechanisms in succession and to terminate the operation of said mechanisms at the end of a predetermined cycle, and power means tov operate said last named means, said power `means including'a clutch having elements in frictional engagement and between which slippingcan occur iftheV knives encounter an unusualobstruction.

32. A peach pitting machine including a rotatable .sliaft,l pitting knives yconnected to saidshaft, reciprocating'elements connected to said knivcs'in a manner permitting their rotation, a driving sleeve," mechanism operated by said sleeve to automaticallyactuate said reciprocating elementsV and shaft in succession, and means including" relatively.`

yiehilable elements to drive said sleeve.

33. A peachr pitting machine includinga rotatable shaft," pitting knives connected to said shaft, `reciprocating jaws, said knives being connected to said jaws to move in syn to an operator to set said mechanismin operation, means to automatically stop said mechanism atthe completion of a cycle of operations,` and driving means for said mechanism, said driving means including elements that will vyield under abnormal conditions. Y

35.A A fruit coring machine comprising means to halvethe fruit, means to cut the core therefrom, fluid means for separating said halves from the core and separate fluid means acting transversely of said first named fluid means for ejecting's'aid core.`

36. `A peach pitting machinecomiiirising peach halving means, means to cut the halves from the pit and fluid means acting in directions at a substantial angle to each other to discharge said halves and pit in different directions. r f

37. A peach pitting machine'A comprising means to halve the peach, means vto cut thc pit from the halves and pneumatic meansto separately eject the halves and pit in different directions. y y v 38. A peach pitting machine comprising means to cut a circumferential halving recess in the peach, a jaw to enter said rece-ss, means to sever Vthe pit from said halves, fluid dis'- charge openings in said jaw to separate said halves, and means to interinittentlysupply fluid to said openings'. f

39. A peach pitting machine comprising means to cut a circumferentialv halvingre-v cessin the peach, a jaw tov enter said recess,

, secured to thev jaw'toregulatethe .distance of curved pitting knives to simultaneously' cut,`

both halves of the peach from the pit, fluid discharge openings in said jaw to separate saidhalves from the pit, and means to supply fluid to said openings.

40. A peach' pitting machine comprising means to cut a circumferential halving recess in the peach, a' jaw tov enter said recess,.

curved separable pitting knives vto simultaneously Acutjboth halves of the peach from the pit, fluid discharge openings in said aw to separate said halves from the pit, means to supplyiiuid tosaid openings, and fur-r ther fluid means arranged todischarge between said knives to eject the pit from the machine.. f

4:1. A peach pitting machine comprising means to guide a peach into positinn, a gauge tojlimitvthe movement of the peach, jaws and pitting knives movable toward the pit tocenter the peach, means to move said jaws and knives, said last named means permitting rotation of the knives with respect to the jaws, mechanism to rotate the knives,and power means to operate said `last-named means. and mechanism, said power means including an automatically; acting clutch to stop the operation at `regular intervals'V and elements that are yieldable to permit the in terruption of the cycle of operations under adnormal conditions. j Ina peach Vpitting machine, a base, uprights securedto said basefjaw carrying membersY slidably mounted on said uprights, jaws on said members, a hollowrshajft, ref ciprocable pitting knives secured to said shaft, .cams on said jaw carryingmembers` to determine the rotary motion of saidkiiives and vto control their reciprocating motion,

mechanismv `to rotate said shaft at p-redetermined intervals, mechanismto reciprocate said jaw carrying members at; predetermined fintervals,and power means for said mechanisms including an automatically operating clntchto stop, the mechanisms uiidernormal conditions and yieldable,.elements to stop said Vmechanisms under abnormal conditions.

43. A1 peach pit-ter as defined in., claimr l2 including means to discharge fluidV under pressure-ina direction at right angles tothe face of said jaws and between said knives.

244, A peach pitten as defined in Vclaim 4 2,

including'ineanslto discharge airunder pressure inja direction atiight angles to the face lof saidv jaws and between .saidknives- ,45. A "peach pitting` machinecompris'ing means to cut circumferential halving recess inthe peach, a recessed `jaw to venter said recess, means to sever the pit from said halves, nested within vthe recessof the jaw,.a pressure means behind said jaw by 'action 'of which the recessed jaw 'engages'. the pitting means and forces itiirmly against the con"` tour off the pit at its suture, adjusting means closing of the jaw and pitt-ing means, a fluid or pneumatic discharge opening in said jaw to separate said halves, and means to supply fluid to said opening.

4G. In a peach pitting' mechanism, holding means contacting with the inside Walls of an incision made circumferentially around the peach; a recess formed in said holding means within which is nested peach pitting means; adjusting` means connected with said holding and pitting means to bodily rectilinearly simultaneously move the pitting and holding mea-ns whereby said holding means and pitting means can be adjusted in unison to embrace various diameters of peach pits at their sutures, prior to the opera-tion of the pitting means approximately about the longitudinal axis of the pit.

47. A clingstone peach pitting machine, comprising means for exposing the suture of the pit of the peach by a cut of material Width extending substantially around the peach, severing means for substantially encompassing the pit, and means for rotating and guiding the severing means independently of the pit to cut the flesh of the peach from the pit in a non-circular path that approximates the contour of the sides of the pit.

48. A clingstone peach pitting machine, comprising means for forming a circumferential incision in the peach substantially in the plane of the suture of the pit to the depth of the pit, mechanism fo-r automatically inserting a severing means in said incision and for adjusting said severing means to substantially surround the pit, means for cutting the pit from the peach, and means to guide said cutting means in a determined path approximating the contour of the pit but that does not cross the suture of the pit.

49. A machine for cutting a substantially Whole pit from a peach having the edges of the pit in the plane o-f its suture exposed, Which comprises cutting means for substantially encompassing the pit and means for actuating said cutting means, said last named means causing the cutting means to swing through substantially 180? in a non-circular path approximating thecontour o-f the pit.

50. A machine for cutting a substantially Whole pit from a peach having the edges of the pit in the plane of its suture exposed, which comprises curved'cutting blades, means for adjusting the cutting blades, substantially to the outline of the exposed pit edges and mechanismV for moving said cutting means transversely of such edges on aV nonl circular path unguided by the body of the pit. f

51. A peach pitting machine including reciprocably mounted jaw carrying members, jaws on said members, a rotatable shaft, knives, knifecarrying members, said knife carrying members being connected to said shaft in a manner permitting,Y rectilinear- ARTHUR L. DUNCAN. 

